Top 8 Pieces of Divorce Advice for Women in Georgia
If you are preparing to go through a divorce, there is a great deal you need to know. While the process can be difficult and can be stressful, the more you do to prepare yourself, the more positive the process and final outcome will be. To help you make informed decisions about your divorce, below are eight tips from the Georgia family lawyers at Stearns-Montgomery & Proctor.
Divorce for Women:
8 Tips for Setting Up Your Life After Your Divorce
1. Don’t Go Through Your Divorce Alone.
Although you will find plenty of do-it-yourself options for “getting divorced online,” the divorced process is complicated and requires help from experienced professionals who understand your unique personal circumstances. Simple oversights can have major consequences, so you need trustworthy advisors to guide you through the process.
2. Start Your Preparations Early.
If you are considering a divorce, the time to start preparing is now. You will need to gather your financial information, copies of your property records and numerous other key pieces of information that will help guide your decision-making during your divorce.
3. Understand What You Can Expect During Your Divorce.
One of the best ways to get more comfortable with going through a divorce is to understand what you can expect during the process. Our free resource, How Do I File for Divorce in Georgia, provides an overview of the key steps involved.
4. Understand What Actions Can Affect Your Divorce.
Is it okay to date while your divorce is pending? What steps can you take to improve your chances of securing your desired custody rights? Knowing what steps to take—and what mistakes to avoid—during your divorce can be critical to securing a favorable outcome.
5. Think about What Matters Most.
Most divorces settle out of court, and there is an inherent give-and-take in the settlement process. By prioritizing your interests, you can develop a settlement strategy that is designed to secure the rights that matter most to you. For example, is it important that you remain in the family home after your divorce? If so, are there other assets you are willing to give up in exchange?
6. Avoid and/or Tweak Social Media.
When preparing for a divorce (and during the divorce process), it is generally a good idea to avoid social media. Your spouse’s attorneys will be looking for ways to use your social media posts against you, and you do not want to inadvertently post something that could negatively impact your divorce. If you are unable to completely avoid social media, it’s recommended to change your privacy settings ensuring only the appropriate parties are able to view your content. Making such content private is yet another layer of protection that will help you.
7. Focus on Your Children.
With regard to establishing a parenting plan, the guiding principle in Georgia is to ensure that the plan serves the “best interests” of the children. This involves weighing several factors, and you will need to work with your attorney to develop a plan for demonstrating that your desired custody rights are also the most desirable for your children’s stability and developmental needs.
8. Focus on Your Financial Independence.
Finally, it is important not to lose sight of the fact that divorce will fundamentally change your life. Will you be prepared for single life once your divorce is final? In addition to putting careful thought into the distribution of your marital assets, you will need to address the various financial aspects of your divorce as well.
Schedule a Consultation at Stearns-Montgomery & Proctor
If you would like to learn more about what you can expect and what steps you can take to prepare for your divorce, we invite you to schedule a confidential initial consultation. With five convenient office locations, we represent women in divorce throughout the Atlanta metro area. To schedule an appointment at your convenience, call Stearns-Montgomery & Proctor at (678) 971-3413 or request a consultation online today.
